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Neutrality in librarianship is a nonsensical concept that libraries of all kinds (e.g., public, academic, special, etc.) should not strive to embody in any shape or form. The following paper investigates the intricate relationships between neutrality and racism as they are demonstrated by tangible and intangible forms in library and information science (LIS) spaces. Ian Williams' book chapter, "More Than Half of Americans Can't Swim", from his book, Disorientation: Being Black in the World (2021), is utilized to critically reflect on Blackness as identity and some ways in which antiracist practices clash with neutrality within LIS spaces. I conclude with urgent reminders of how detrimental neutrality can be if it is not thoroughly rooted out and supplanted with antiracist practices that the LIS field is in dire need of. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article introduces and applies the concept of "physical-equivalent privacy" to evaluate the appropriateness of data collection about library patrons' use of library-provided e-resources. It posits that as a matter of service equity, any data collection practice that causes e-resource users to enjoy less information privacy than users of an information-equivalent print resource is to be avoided. Analysis is grounded in real-world e-resource-related phenomena: secure (HTTPS) library websites and catalogs, the Adobe Digital Editions data-leak incident of 2014, and use of web trackers on e-resource websites. Implications of physical-equivalent privacy for the SeamlessAccess single-sign-on proposal will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a Vision Session at the 34th annual NASIG conference, DeEtta Jones related her belief that our profession needs leaders at every level, including those who do not see themselves in that role. Leaders must be culturally competent, able to engage and encourage new voices to speak out while taking courageous action in the service of shared value. Today's leaders need more than the traditional attributes of the past; mere passion and holding fast to values are not sufficient in the present time. To demonstrate how courageous leadership could be applied, Jones organized her talk around six themes and attributes: anchored to aspiration, values driven, in the service of, emotional intelligence and cultural competence, trustworthiness, and equity oriented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces that Chris Bulock is the recipient of the 2014 First Step Award, Patrick Carr is the recipient of the 2014 Esther J. Piercy Award and Magda El-Sherbini is the recipient of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) Outstanding Publication Award for 2014.

Private companies and government agencies are now creating and tapping into vastly more data than ever before. These data flows include enormous amounts of personal information and raise questions about privacy and intellectual policy that could have profound impacts on our lives. While data collection and creation are nearly ubiquitous, the instruments of collection and analysis are often hidden in order to track more natural behavior. Recent revelations of massive governmental data collection offer the country, and librarians in particular, an opportunity to discuss and question the societal implications of “Big Data,” and the policies that govern them. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This half-day preconference included three presentations on library budget issues that affect serials. Nancy Slight-Gibney explained how the University of Oregon Libraries has modeled its serials budget in challenging times. Virginia Taffurelli described how the Science, Industry and Business Library of The New York Public Library approached its large budget cut and consequent cancellation project. Finally, Mary Iber told the story of Cornell College Library's complete reassessment of all serials titles and how that worked to make the collection more responsive and relevant to the students and faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section of the journal "The Serials Librarian" provides current information on all aspects of serials and electronic resource management in the U.S., including networks and consortia, library schools and continuing education, library-oriented organizations, vendor and publisher services, personnel in the serials field, and new publications, both print and electronic.

Announces several conferences and related activities in the field of library science in the U.S. Schedule of the 5th Annual Acquisitions Institute; Sponsors of the Library Binding Workshops; Venue of the New England Technical Services Librarians Spring 2004 Conference.

This article announces symposiums and seminars in the field of library science in the U.S. The American Library Association's Association for Library Collections and Technical Services Serials Section will sponsor an all-day symposium on managing electronic resources in San Diego, California on January 9, 2004. The symposium will focus on the management of electronic resources, examining technical as well as administrative matters. On September 12, 2003, the Association of Subscription Agents and Intermediaries held a seminar which explored some of the ways in which librarians, agents, and publishers are coping with licensing challenges from the point of view of acquisitions, access denials, consortial arrangements, journal aggregation and open access.

This article describes a one-year (three semesters) print and microform journal usage study at Lovejoy Library, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The study, based on 20% random sample of eligible days, was conducted for three purposes: (1) to identify low-use current subscription journal titles that could be considered for cancellation; (2) to determine low-use bound journals based on publication date, so that retention and storage decisions could be made; and (3) to distinguish high-use journal titles that were critical to maintaining the core collection. Data were analyzed for all titles, formats, year of the journal, use by time of day, day of week, and month of year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on developments in electronic publishing and library science in the U.S. EBSCO's acquisition of the European operations of RoweCom Inc.; Elsevier Science's launching of 'Library Connect,' an initiative to inform librarians about electronic publishing and the digital library; Infotrieve's acquisition of assets of The ScientificWorld.

Reports on developments in the field of library science in the U.S. Appointment of Leslie Hawkins as CONSER Coordinator in the Serial Record Division of the Library of Congress; Change in requirements for CONSER Associate and Enhance membership levels; Activities at the ALA Annual Conference.

The article discusses a meeting titled 'Embracing New Horizons' organized by the North American Serials Interest Group (NASIG) that was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico from June 9-12, 2016. Topics addressed include Dr. Richard Melzer's book "Buried Treasures: Famous and Unusual Gravesites in New Mexico History", use of technology in libraries, and librarian John Riddick's contributions to the organization.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses reports within the issue on topics including the impact of digital divide on libraries, and librarianship to be considered as a profession.

Reports on career developments in the field of library science in the U.S. Appointment of Norene Allen as the new academic regional sales manager of Swets Information Services; Designation of Jennifer Duncan as electronic resources librarian at Utah State; Job of Emily McElroy as the new collection development and acquisitions librarian at the University of Oregon,

Focuses on the CONSER Publication Pattern Initiative in the U.S. Formation of a task force to explore the use of a universal holdings record; Aim of defining a potential universal holdings record; Availability of documents relating to the work and progress of the task force.